Trump, for now, is standing by his controversial proposal to “clean out” the Gaza Strip’s entire population, though his aides have indicated the idea was largely aimed at spurring Arab allies to come up with their own plan for the post-war management of the enclave that removes Hamas from power.
While the Arab plan is still being finalized and no conclusions were reached in Riyadh, Arab leaders are in agreement that the Palestinian Authority must play a role in the effort, four diplomats briefed on the gathering told The Times of Israel. There is also consensus on another matter — that PA President Mahmoud Abbas is not critical, and perhaps even counterproductive, to the effort. Accordingly, Abbas was not invited to the Riyadh meeting, according to two Arab diplomats and two European diplomats. (Read More)
